Exploring the Possibilities

Hey all!! I know it has been awhile. I have been just been busy. Really busy!! I just wanted to give an update on my knitting progress and life. It has been hectic. I started grad school around time of my stash busting ideas (what was I thinking) and needless to say it is hard to find the balance in knitting, blogging, and school. Work… pst who has time to work. lol Kidding I am still working my two jobs. I know, I am insane!!

For clarity of my insanity, in an effort of stash busting I join a KAL for this Dragonflies Sweater. It is going well. I am on to the body and trying to finish before the deadline without losing my mind. I also plan to complete two scarves (for my self) and two hats (gifts), that needs to be completed by January. The sweater by the way is due December 15. I am a crazy person.

Also my Jackie sweater is not going so well. It really is wonky; however, I don’t want to strap it or frog it. I am just going to complete and make it work. My arms are too long, which is hilarious because I am always complaining about sweaters arms being to short. My solution will be to roll up arms. The waist shape, I really regret! I really hope that blocking and losing some weight with help with the fit. But will I make this sweater again… yes, with a lots of modification.

With all the stress, I broke my yarn diet… yep I broke down and brought three skeins of Manos. But it was so worth it… look at them:

I had a little slip… but as you can see it was worth it. I am super excited to knit up these skeins. Now because of these slips, I have push back my stash date to May 2014. So no new yarn until May 2014 (OMG!!!!!). It has to be done, so I can stick to my diet, no matter how pretty the yarn is, I must stick to the diet and remain strong!! I apologize, in advance, if you see less post, I am busy with grad school and knitting. I will take some time this weekend to update my stash busting. Time to get organize and serious! Hope all is well and happy knitting!! 🙂

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I was reading knitting daily this morning, which presented a great article on textile and design degrees. She talks about how she always thought a textile degree was odd; however, after years of knitting is envious of the degree. She then goes on to wish for a second degree in knitting. I thought this idea was brilliant and I would total get a degree in knitting.

I didn’t think a textile degree was odd, growing up in Philadelphia you encounter many textile designers and fashion experts. At one point, in my early teens, I considered becoming a fashion designer. I was so drawn to the concept of designing something new and actually completing the craft. I almost went to a high school specializing in design ; however, opted for music at an art school. It wasn’t until college I started to redesign with yarn.

Which also brings up another topic… free flow knitting. Is it possible? Does anyone free knit? I know when I crochet, I don’t need a pattern to create something… that how I designed my yoga mat bag. I just started crocheting and it formed. I wonder if anyone can or has done something like this in Knitting. I always wanted to free knit; however, it seemed to be more involved in the designing process than the actual construction. Hum… thoughts! Enjoy.

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This has been a busy weekend for me, and I am trying to organized a major stash bust. My main goal for the next 8 months is to get down to one bin.

I feel like need to unload a lot of yarn and need to make room for better and awesome yarns. My stash is an example of my progress as a knitter and yarn enthusiast. A lot of things are changing in my life and it is time to let go of the past. So this is my yarn clean out.

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I have finally hit it, a yarn wall. Every knitter has goals and aspirations for their yarn stash. At this time, my goal for my stash was to keep it contained to two containers. Oh have the mighty reach the limit.

I have finally reach the capacity of both my bins… And I have realized that I have a lot of yarn… Time to stash bust. As the summer comes to an end, I will document my last yarn haul and will not make a yarn purchase until the first day of spring 2014…. Time for discipline and restraint.

First up a June buy at the Lys shop, loop.

Worsted weight Bunny fiber yarn. About 350 yards of awesome goodness. It does have a little alpaca in it; however it doesn’t bother my allergy. Needs to be a fun cowl.

Next is my July purchase at Rosie’s Yarn Cellar (my addiction headquarters).

I brought three skeins of Manos silk blend and two skeins of Manos Rittenhouse (on sale… Just couldn’t pass up the sale of a discontinued yarn) and two skeins of Shetland ( for swatching purposes).

And to end the summer and my compulsive yarn shopping, another trip to Rosie’s in August.

Yep that’s a whole bag of Noro yarn ( on sale for $60, ten in total) and two skeins of Manos Alegria. Why did I buy it? Did you see it, does there really have to be a reason. But I need to turn those sexy (s) into an awesome gorgeous shawl.

So there you have it my compulsive shopping and yarn addiction full frontal. I definitely need to stop buying yarn. I only hope I don’t lose my discount at Rosie’s? I might have to use that discount before it I lose it. But I am going to hold out for as long as I can. Maybe invest in more books. This yarn diet I need to keep. 🙂

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I was reading a pattern that I think I might want to start doing. It involved drop stitches which I find super interesting. In the pattern it directs you to weight the yarn several times during the process and once at 50 grams to start the decrease. First of all, complicated and second, I would need a yarn scale. Thus the question to buy a yarn scale.

Needless to say my hobby has turned into an addiction and a slight obsession. I really started knitting when I stop smoking. Which was the hardest thing to achieve (but I did! 🙂 ). And knitting really helped and it’s a habit I love and need in life. So beacon the questions do I need a yarn scale….

As you guys know I bought my swift and winder…. Now you know. I got them cheap and on sale, which make it extra special. I love love love my own winder and swift. It makes me appreciate my stash and yarn so much more… And it also liberates me from relying on my Lys. But a yarn scale… Is that too far? I discussed it with my boyfriend and his expression was priceless. Once I explain the point of the scale, he was more understanding. I am still debating about the scale…. But what are your thoughts on yarn scales?

Also here is the pattern I am referring to Clapo-Ktus by Loredana Gianferri…

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I really suck at keeping this blog… but I will try to get better… Anyhoo, a lot has happened over the following the weeks and that included more and more knitting. This is my plan is to write a post everyday for the week of 8/5/13 to 8/9/13. I am going on vacation/god mom duties the week of 8/12/13 to 8/16/13. During this week I want to give an update as well as introduce weekly segments. This post is just going to be about updates on my two projects (that I have been working on forever).

My Shawl is coming along nicely. I am just about done on to the second lace borders. Here are some pictures:

This is right before starting the last Lace border…. So excited. I think I have used five skeins of Manos Maxima (I know crazy considering I though it was only going to be two). My hope is to finish this project before my vacation, which can be done just need to focus and have the motivation.

My Sweater is also coming along as well. I finished the body and one sleeve. I have not started the second due to wanting to complete that during my vacation. I would have never thought I would be almost finish my first sweater craziness. So here are pictures of the finish body and the one sleeve:

As you can imagine, I have been very busy knitting. More to come this week about my failed yarn diet, my swift and winder, my first KAL (knit-along), and my new books. I hope you have a good week! 🙂

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I know I am a day late with Tattoo Monday. I was really busy yesterday. I also wanted to give an update of my latest projects and other knit-life things. With my shawl… it has been a long road. I have been procrastinating due to be so near the end. But I think I missed placed my pattern with all it’s notes. Luckily for Ravelry, I have some basic notes. My sweater… is coming along. I finish the body now working on the sleeves which I had to start over once and loss a lot of yarn (so sad). I was very very sad that I stop knitting for like two weeks and read a book! lol Anyhoo things are going well with the restart. Will have detailed notes for this sweater as well. In awesome news, my friends (inspired by me) decided to starting knitting again after a 10 year hiatus. We did a mini knitting tour and I enriched her of the world of awesome yarns and sales… oh the sales… and broke my yarn diet once again!!! 😦 🙂 It’s happy sad!!! But now I am on a strict yarn diet!!! Must avoid all yarn stores and new patterns. lol but SERIOUSLY!!!!